She placed Miss Ruby’s photograph next to Haley’s drawing of Mrs. Gilbert. The fact that Anna-May Gilbert and Miss Ruby had what looked like similar or maybe even identical cameos could be a coincidence—nothing more. Yet Josie’s journalistic mind kept gnawing away at her. She decided to do a little investigation. Her notebook tucked beneath her arm, she paid Anna-May a visit.

  The Gilberts lived in a small adobe brick house surrounded by farm animals a couple of miles out of town. Anna-May seemed pleased to see her. So much so, Josie wondered if visitors were a rarity. “Do come in!” she gushed in her soft southern drawl

  Josie stepped into the relatively cool entry hall. “I hope you don’t mind my dropping in like this.”

  “Oh, no. I love company. It gets kind of lonely out here.” Anna-May led Josie into the parlor. “Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for refreshment? Some lemonade, perhaps?”

  “No, thank you.” Josie seated herself upon the mauve velvet settee and leaned against its button-tufted back. The room, with its floral flocked wallpaper, tapestry carpet, and delicate lace curtains, looked like it belonged more in Boston or Europe than in Texas.

  “We’re doing a fashion story for the newspaper,” Josie explained. “Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without you.”

  Anna-May’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh, my,” she said in a breathless drawl. “How exciting!” She straightened the lace antimacassar on the back of the upholstered chair before daintily seating herself, the whisper of silk emulating from her every move. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Nothing, I just have a few questions. I want to make sure we have the details of your dress right. The one you wore to the wedding.”

  Anna-May looked pleased. “That’s my favorite dress.” She fluffed out the lace of her sleeves.

  Since it was the same dress Anna-May had worn in her photograph, Josie gathered as much. “Could you tell me a little about it?” Josie chose her words carefully. Asking about the cameo too soon could rouse suspicion.

  “Nothing much to tell. I ordered it from a store in Boston that specializes in French fashions.” She reached for a catalogue on the end table. “Here.” She handed it to Josie. “Don’t you just love the dress on page four?”

  Josie turned to the specified page. “I do,” she said, though she could never imagine herself wearing a dress so elegant. But it wasn’t the multilayered skirts or even the low neckline that raised her eyebrows. It was the cost. She doubted if anyone in Two-Time made that amount of money in a year’s time. Certainly Anna-May’s husband didn’t.

  Josie flipped through the rest of the catalogue. Some gowns cost less, but all were expensive. “I’m afraid that the prices are too high for my blood,” Josie said, returning the catalogue.

  Anna-May shrugged as if cost was of little or no consequence. “Beauty doesn’t come cheap.”

  Josie picked an imaginary piece of lint off her brown calico skirt. “The cameo you wore to the wedding . . . It’s exquisite. Is it a family heirloom?”

  A smile curving her mouth, Anna-May patted the twisted rope of hair at the nape of her neck. “My husband gave it to me last year for our first anniversary.”

  Josie pretended to check her notes. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there’s a new photographer in town. You should think about having your portrait taken.”

  Anna-May’s face lit up. “But I did already. Would you like to see it?”

  “I would love to,” Josie said.

  Anna-May rose from her chair in one graceful move. “Give me just a minute.” She left the room with a sense of purpose, her dainty satin slippers quiet as a kitten on the wooden floor.

  Josie sighed in relief. That had been easier than she thought it would be.

  A young Mexican girl entered the room carrying a feather duster. “Oh, I’m sorry, señora.” Without waiting for Josie to reply, she backed out of the room and vanished.

  Less than five minutes later, Anna-May returned with the photograph. With loving care, she centered it on the mantle and stepped back. “What do you think?”

  Josie rose and moved closer to the fireplace. Her gaze zeroed in on the cameo, and her breath caught in her lungs. There was no question. The cameo was identical to the one worn by Miss Ruby.

  “What do you think?” Anna-May asked again.

  “You look beautiful.” Josie commented on the photograph’s composition and lighting, but her gaze remained on the cameo. Fortunately, Anna-May was too enamored with her own likeness to notice the strain in Josie’s voice.

  The gold-mounted cameo was even more exquisite close up; The piece had been expertly carved from a shell, a woman’s head raised in relief.

  “I’ve never seen a cameo shaped like a shield,” Josie said when she thought enough time had passed.

  Anna-May nodded. “It is different, isn’t it? My husband said the shield is to protect our love.”

  Josie couldn’t help but wonder why her husband felt their love needed protection, but she kept her thoughts to herself. “It’s exquisite,” she said instead. “Your husband has excellent taste.” He also had some explaining to do.

  Anna-May nodded. “Yes, doesn’t he?”

  “How did you two meet?” Josie asked. Craig Gilbert didn’t seem like Anna-May’s type and probably didn’t even travel in the same social circles.

  “We actually met on a train. A thief stole my purse and I was without a ticket or money. Craig came to my rescue. He was such a sweet man. After that, he kept sending me gifts. So many gifts. At first I couldn’t figure out how he could afford it. But then he told me he’d inherited money from some rich uncle. I told him he should use the money to start a business or something, but he said he would much rather spend it on me.” She shrugged. “So, what’s a girl to do?”

  Josie stared at the cameo. “What indeed?”

  ***

  When Josie shared her suspicions with Scooter later that same day, he looked dubious.

  “I don’t know, Josie,” he said, swiveling his desk chair from side to side. “Like Grandpappy always said, ‘One sprinkles the most sugar where the toast is burnt.’”

  Hands at her waist, Josie frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that’s it’s easy to sweeten the facts to prove a theory.”

  Sighing, she dropped her hands to her side. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”

  Scooter stilled his chair and rested his folded hands upon his desk. “All we have are two identical cameos. We could probably think up a dozen different explanations for that—all pointing to Gilbert’s guilt.”

  “We don’t know that there’re two cameos,” Josie said, stubbornly. “It could be one and the same.”

  “Or it could be one of hundreds. I just ordered me a ring from a catalogue. Do you think I’m the only one who chose that ring?”

  Her eyes widened. “What? You bought a ring? Does that mean what I think it means?”

  Scooter’s face turned a vivid red. “I took your advice and hired a deputy. He starts work next week.”

  Josie grinned. “And?”

  “And I plan to ask Becky-Sue to marry me.”

  Josie could hardly suppress her delight. “Oh, Scooter. That’s the best news ever!”

  He looked pleased. “Don’t go sayin’ anythin’. I want to surprise her.”

  “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe.”

  Scooter blew out his breath. “Who-wee!” He fanned his face with his hand. “It’s a big step. Askin’ a woman to marry you.”

  “You’re doing the right thing.” She was convinced Scooter and Becky-Sue were the perfect match. “Does this mean I lose my reporter?” she asked.

  “I reckon that’s up to Becky-Sue,” Scooter said.

  Josie smiled. “I’m so happy for you both.”

  His grin vanished. “About Gilbert—I’ll keep an eye on him. If I see anything suspicious, I’ll haul him in for questionin’.” He tilted his head. “Anything else.”

  Josie thought a moment. “Did you know that Pepper was Miss Ruby’s client?”

  “Yep, I did know that. ’Case you’re wonderin’, he was out of town the night she was killed.” He rubbed his temple. “What is it with you and Pepper, anyhow? First you accuse him of arson and now this.”

  “I don’t know.” Josie shrugged. “He always seems like he’s up to something.”

  She left the office feeling unsettled. Scooter would do what he said he would do, but she didn’t have much hope of it leading anywhere. On the surface, Gilbert looked like a hard-working man with an extravagant young wife. Maybe he really did have a rich uncle. But if that were true, why the need to work at such a dull job? For that matter, why work at all?

  Chapter 26

  The grass is so scarce from lack of rain that it now takes four cattle to cast a single shadow.

  —Two-Time Gazette

  A week later, Josie sat at her desk staring at Haley’s drawing of Mrs. Gilbert when a former newsboy walked in and handed her a note.

  “From Mr. Wade,” he said, peering through a curtain of straw-like hair.

  The mere mention of Brandon’s name was enough to send warm quivers surging through her veins. “Thank you, Mikey.”

  Reaching into her purse for a coin, she placed it in the boy’s grimy hand and waited for him to leave before quickly unfolding the paper.

  Meet me at Baker’s windmill at three.

  — Brandon

  Josie stared at the bold handwriting, not knowing what to make of it. They’d exchanged no more than a few brief words since Hank’s wedding. Now this. What could he possibly want to see her about?

  Perhaps it had something to do with what had kept him out of town so much of the time in recent weeks.

  She read the note twice before folding the paper and slipping it into her pocket. He hadn’t even asked if she would meet him. It was more of a command. She was tempted to ignore it, but the same curiosity that had led her into journalism soon got the best of her.

  She glanced at her watch. Sighing, she grabbed her purse and called into the other room where Hank was printing off Friday’s edition.

  “I’m leaving.”

  “Coming back?”

  That depended on why Brandon wanted to see her. “I’m not sure,” she said, feeling as nervous as a schoolgirl. “If not, would you lock up for me?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Tucking a loose strand of hair into her bun, she donned her bonnet. She then pinched her cheeks for color and grabbed her purse from the desk drawer.

  Less than a half hour later she spotted Brandon and Haley in the shade of Baker’s windmill. Brandon sat astride his black gelding and Haley rode a brown-and-white pony, probably rented from the stables.

  Josie pulled her horse and wagon alongside them. “What’s going on?” she called, shading her eyes with her hand.

  “It’s a surprise,” Haley called back and giggled.

  “Follow us,” Brandon said with a wave of his hand. He rode off with Haley by his side, their horses kicking up clouds of dust.

  “What in the world?” Shaking her head, Josie flipped the reins and took off after them.

  Some twenty minutes later they reached the river. Josie’s heart sank upon seeing the large structure on lot eleven. So, this is what Brandon has been up to these past several weeks.

  A sharp pain ripped through her and she gripped the reins tighter. She wasn’t ready for this. Brandon had every right to build on the property, and it was foolish of her to feel the way she did, but she couldn’t help it. Swallowing hard, she blinked back tears. She should be happy for him. Would pretend to be happy, even if it killed her.

  It was an impressive building, no question. The house wasn’t finished. The windows lacked glass, and the roof still had to be tiled. The walls were built from adobe bricks with large windows overlooking the river. Brick chimneys anchored the house on either side like a pair of bookends.

  “What do you think,” he asked as she pulled up next to him and set the brake.

  “It’s . . . amazing,” she said for want of a better word. “So, this explains why you’ve been spending so much time out of town.” It surprised her that Haley hadn’t said anything. Not a word about the house.

  Overseeing such a building project couldn’t have been easy. Up close, the house was even larger than it looked from a distance. Even the multiroomed home she and Ralph had envisioned all those years ago couldn’t compare. Why anyone would need so much space she couldn’t imagine. It appeared to have at least a dozen rooms and maybe a whole lot more. Keeping up such a house would be a full-time job.

  “It’s enormous,” she said. “I hope you’re prepared to hire a slew of servants.”

  Laughing, he dismounted and tethered his horse. “The inside is even less finished than the outside. I wasn’t going to show it to you until it was completed, but Haley couldn’t wait, and I was afraid you’d hear about it from someone in town. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

  She swallowed hard and forced a smile. Why, oh, why, had he brought her here? Had he stuck a knife into her heart, it couldn’t have hurt more.

  “That would be . . . g-great,” she stammered.

  He hurried to help her from the wagon. Strong hands at her waist, he lifted her gently to the ground. Their gazes met and held for a moment before they quickly drew apart. Feeling her cheeks flare, she looked away.

  In the distance, workmen were cutting down trees and tossing logs into a wagon. It nearly killed her to think that the initials Ralph had carved in the trunk of the old cottonwood would soon be turned into firewood.

  Brandon must have seen something in her expression, because he offered an explanation. “We’re making room for the stables.”

  She moistened her lower lip, but said nothing.

  He cleared his throat. “Before we go inside, Haley has something she wants to show you.”

  Since Haley could hardly seem to contain her excitement, Josie asked, “What’s going on?”

  Still giggling, Haley took Josie by the hand and drew her a short distance away to a sign attached to a wooden post. The sign read “Two-Time Old Folks’ Home.”

  Josie blinked and read the sign again. She swung around to face Brandon. “I don’t understand. Home . . . ?”

  Brandon’s crooked grin made him look like a mischievous schoolboy. “You said there should be a better way to handle people like Mr. Pendergrass, and soon there will be.”

  “Now he can live here,” Haley added, her eyes shining brightly.

  “Here?” Josie said in disbelief. “In this house?”

  Brandon answered her question with a nod. “He and others like him will be properly cared for. Dr. Stybeck and his wife have agreed to live on the premises free of charge. In exchange he’ll provide medical services. We’ll also hire a housekeeper and caretaker.”

  “Don’t forget a cook,” Haley added.

  Josie stared at them, shock waves working their way down her spine. “Why would you do such a thing?”

  “It’s cuz I burned down your building,” Haley said.

  Josie pressed her palm against Haley’s smooth, round cheek. “You mean accidentally burned down my building.”

  Brandon laid a hand on Haley’s shoulder. “Since you refused to let me pay for your new office, Haley and I decided this would be the next best thing.”

  “I’ve been helping out,” Haley exclaimed.

  “And she’s been working hard,” Brandon added. “She’s worked her fanny off.”

  Haley kicked a small rock away with her foot. “Now that’s school’s started, I can only work here on Saturdays.”

  Tears sprang to Josie’s eyes. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.” If Ralph were there, he would wholeheartedly approve. The thought made her cry even more.

  Brandon handed her a clean handkerchief. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I’m just so happy,” she said, dabbing her wet cheeks.

  The tenderness of his gaze warmed her like the brilliant rays of the sun. Like a flower, her heart opened to a possibility that both intrigued and frightened her. Could this—this strange combination of euphoria and confusion—be the beginning of something more than just friendship or even gratitude?

  “You can kiss Papa if you want,” Haley said. “I won’t mind.”

  Josie gasped softly, heat rising to her face. “I-I . . .”

  “Right now, I think Mrs. Johnson would rather have a tour of the house,” Brandon said, looking and sounding every bit as uncomfortable as she felt.

  Josie jumped on the lifeline he offered. “Yes, yes, I would,” she said, starting up the path as if her life depended on it.

  Falling in step by Josie’s side, Haley reached for her hand. This time there was no question as to what to call the warm, fuzzy feeling inside that was soft as a kitten’s fur. She couldn’t love Haley more if she were her own flesh and blood. With this happy thought in mind, she held on tightly to Haley’s hand as they followed the winding path to the home.

  ***

  Two days later, Josie stopped at the family house with Haley in tow. They found Mama in the garden picking the last of the blooming marigolds. It was a beautiful, warm day in September. The sky was clear and the air filled with a riotous twitter of birds.

  Leading the way along the garden path, Josie joined her mother and introduced her to Haley. “This is Haley Wade.”

  Mama straightened. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Haley grinned up at her. “Mrs. Johnson and I went shopping. We purchased sheets and pillows.”

  Mama’s eyebrows shot up and disappeared beneath the brim of her brown calico sunbonnet “Really?”

  Before Josie could explain, Haley grabbed her arm and pointed. “Oh, look, a rabbit.”

  “It’s a cottontail,” Mama said, “and he’s eating my lettuce.”

  Haley took off after the rabbit while Josie watched her with fond regard. “Isn’t she the most delightful child? And she’s a very talented artist. You should see some of her drawings.”